Understanding the Political, Philosophical, and Ethical Shifts
Political and Socio-Economic Status: Renaissance XV-XVI:
The Political Area
From feudalism, the king raised absolutist monarchies, leading to secular visions as the church lost power.
Economic Areas
Maritime commerce flourished, thanks to scientific advances such as the astrolabe.
Religious Field
The religious crisis spread humanism, with the Protestant church and Calvinism breaking away.
Social Areas
The church lost its strength, and the growth of the bourgeoisie emerged.
Baroque Seventeenth Century
The 30 Years’ War occurred between Protestant and Catholic factions. Cultural Situation: The scientific mentality (philosophy of science by Descartes): Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton… introduced a new vision of the universe, but the Inquisition acted as a barrier. Status Philosophical:
Rationality
The seventeenth century (Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Malebranche) / Empiricism: the century (Hume, Locke, Berkeley).
1 – Understanding Reasons:
To secure knowledge: a priori knowledge is not sensitive to experience; reason is not unlimited, and one cannot know everything. A posteriori reasoning (after experience and sensitivity) shows the limits of reason and experience.
2 – The Origin of Ideas:
Ideas are the contents of consciousness: objective and secure versus not sensitive, objective and safe, sensitive experience.
3 – Understanding Science:
Science is universal and necessary, providing useful and practical knowledge through the senses.
4 – Knowledge Model:
A model of science: mathematical and empirical science (Newton’s physics).
5 – Rationality:
Knowledge is rational, which can be met, reflecting the reason for the Knowledge Area, which is not identified with reality; reality exists beyond the frontier of knowledge.
Work Life:
Military Training and Years
The birth of Hayez in March 1596 (France), from a famous noble family with three sons. A year after the death of his mother, his father, a minister of the Parliament of Britain, spent much time outside the house. He attended La Flèche school (to prepare noblemen to fight against Protestantism). This center was where the philosophy of science was realized. He finished his studies in Paris and enjoyed some time there before entering Maurizio Nassau’s army during the war years, learning about fortification. In 1619, he fought against the Bohemian Neuburg barracks.
The First Letter
After leaving the army, he traveled throughout Europe and returned to Paris. He went to the Netherlands and Spain to promote independent thought, making significant contributions to the country. He worked in most cities until 1649.
Philosophical Work:
In 1637 (at 41 years), he published A Discourse on Method, detailing the metaphysical basis for the scientific method, demonstrating the usefulness of dioptrics, meteorological studies, and geometry. Metaphysical Meditations in 1641 reflected on objections and responses, exploring the relationships between scientists and philosophers. In 1644 (Utrecht), he published Principles of Philosophy: The Forbidden City, where he became the Queen’s philosophy professor in Stockholm, passing away in 1650 (at 54 years).
Intention:
The Philosophy of Previous Reviews
Previous philosophy was ambiguous and not based on certainty. The other philosophy of science is impossible to create anything from a basis of doubts. It aims to establish significant and secure foundations in mathematics.
Intention
Philosophy should be safe, systematic, scientific, and ordered. Without a doubt, true ideas arise from thought (based on secure conclusions, which are also true).
Prioritized First Principle:
Reason, not experience, is the main source of knowledge.
Distinct First Principle and Light:
All knowledge must be unified; science must embody unity, wisdom, and expression, as there is only one reason. The metaphor of a tree: the roots represent Metaphysics (Philosophy), the trunk represents Physics, and the other branches represent sciences (medicine, mechanics).
Rotation / Philosophy of Consciousness:
A Medieval Vision Radically Changed
The security of God was each person’s security: PM unwanted.
Understanding Change of Knowledge:
Knowledge of reality is through ideas. Ideas provide content and ways of thinking, holding only epistemological value, not ontological value. The subject is important, with an active knowledge of the reality of ideas.
The Importance of Epistemology:
Knowledge transitions from epistemology to ontology. Things evolve through the philosophy of ideas. Rational reality is based on a priori reasoning, without sensitive experience.
The Modern Era of Idealism:
Idealistic philosophy starts from the philosophical currents of idealism to the reality of ideas.
Ontology:
Means: Variable Characteristics
Attributes: the necessary characteristics, substance: a reality with independent existence. Three realities (pluralism), one for each attribute:
1 – Res Cogitans:
The existence of the thinker. The attribute of thought; the thinker (soul) exists to think. Specific modes of consciousness exist. The soul is single, indivisible.
2 – Res Infinite:
God. Gnoseological arguments confirm existence, including ontological and causal arguments.
3 – Res Extensive:
The idea of external reality (on the extended beings) is used for God. Attribute: expansion. Method: and the figure of movement (mechanics).
Ethics:
The Importance of Reason:
To play a good reason, one must control passions. Passions affect the soul, indicating human stakes. The origin of the body must be controlled. Self-control is essential. It is not about opposing passion, but rather controlling it; reason must guide passions. The reason is to control passions, determining what is good and true, leading to voluntary actions.
Freedom:
Res-cognitas is not made up for being a human encyclopedia. One must ask the reasons to choose what is good and true as proposed. This indicates a desire to follow reasons.
Provisional Moral:
Live actions and order a few to consider. Temporary morals are based on true knowledge until three orders based on laws and customs continue: 1, 2 criteria for solid actions to live in conformity with and approved by the order of the world.